The Tackle: Lance Franklin might be AFL’s greatest player as Mark Robinson reveals Round 22 likes and dislikes
ONCE one of the game’s most maligned, Magpie pressure machine Chris Mayne has played an integral role in the club’s surge to a first finals appearance since 2013. Is he the AFL’s most improved player? ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT was another weekend of close shaves, what might have beens and individual brilliance.
But one man rose to new heights.
As MARK ROBINSON looks at his highs and lows from Round 22, he writes Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s standing reached a whole new level.
TOUGH TASK: RALPHY REVEALS HIS ALL-AUSTRALIAN SIDE
LIVE LADDER: WHAT THE ROUND 22 RESULTS MEAN
WHAT I LIKE ...
1. Lance Franklin
Former colleague Mike Sheahan’s love for Wayne Carey was boundless. Sheahan had seen all footy from the 1970s to now and when Wayne Carey was at the top of his game in the mid to late 1990s, Sheahan declared Carey the best player he had seen — over Leigh Matthews, Malcolm Blight, Jason Dunstall, Tony Lockett, Gazza Snr and Jnr. But the love affair ended on Friday. Sheahan said Franklin was his new No.1 and, befittingly, Franklin produced a knockout performance on Saturday night, kicking five goals to lead the Swans to victory over the Giants. Sheahan is not the first commentator to rate Franklin above Carey, but this was different. This was a football divorce.
2. So, what happened?
Phil Davis hurt his back in the second quarter, partly because Franklin pushed him into the marking contest and after halftime the Swans outplayed the wounded Giants. Franklin played 40 minutes on both Davis and Jeremy Finalyson, kicking a goal on each player. Franklin also kicked goals on Nick Haynes and Lachie O’Keeffe after halftime. Franklin scored because the Swans took control in the midfield, led by Luke Parker, who is said to a trade target for Essendon.
3. Melbourne
The monkey is off the back and Melbourne will play finals. Lost the lead for the first time in the game with seven minutes remaining and kicked the next three goals, the killer coming from Dean Kent and the closer from Jake Melksham. It was flag-in-the-ground kind of stuff, full of grit and purpose. The Eagles were admirable after losing Jack Darling (concussion), but this result was all about the Demons. What it does for their confidence will be played out over the next four weeks, but you’d have to think it will be bolt of goodness. Won the contested ball (158-135), won clearances (43-29) and earned their spot with four-quarter scrap on the road. Be proud Demons fans.
4. Caddy or Gunston
There’s Ben Brown, Franklin, Jack Riewoldt and Tom Hawkins for three spots, with one of them on the bench in the All-Australian side. Luke Breust is a lock and reckon Dustin Martin takes a forward flank, leaving Richmond’s Josh Caddy and Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston fighting for the sixth position in the All-Australian forward line. Let’s compare the pair with Caddy’s numbers first. Disposal average: 17 to 18. Marks inside 50m: 1.5 to 1.9. Goals: 2.3 (43) to 2.3 (46). Score involvements: 5.8 to 7.0. Forward-half pressure points: 28.7-18.2. Favour Gunston because he’s also been used as defender and excelled, which was evident again on Saturday night when he took several marks to stave off St Kilda in the final quarter.
5. Effort to the end
Cracking game at Adelaide Oval and the Kangas will rue the past two weeks. Lost by seven points to the Bulldogs and then nine points to the Crows, which ended their hunt for the finals. Kicked 5.4 to 2.1 in the final quarter and was thwarted at the end by Mitch McGovern’s marking in defence and a free kick not paid to Ben Brown for blocking. Shutting down Matt Crouch (46 disposals) and Rory Laird (41 disposals) would have helped. Still, if we’re dealing with expectation, it was a good season by the Kangas and not that good a year for the Crows.
6. Get ready, George
In the past two weeks Geelong and St Kilda have tried to apply the clamps on Brownlow Medal favourite Tom Mitchell. It worked pretty well for Cat Scott Selwood. He had Mitchell for two quarters and kept him to 14 disposals and four clearances. On Saturday night Jack Steele, one of St Kilda’s best this season, had Mitchell for three quarters and restricted him to 23 disposals and five clearances — 13 of the disposals coming in the third quarter. This week, it will be Sydney’s George Hewitt, who took care of GWS’s Stephen Coniglio in the second half on Saturday, who will almost certainly go to the Hawks ball-winner. Mitchell has been so dominant this year that keeping him to 30 disposals is seen as win.
7. Golden shoots
Jack Bowes, the Gold Coast youngster, was one of the players who had confronting conversations with former skipper Tom Lynch on that infamous day of Lynch announced his departure. While some thought it disrespectful, others at the club were proud of his stance. They would also be proud of his football. He played 90 per cent of game time in the midfield against Brisbane Lions and collected a season-high six clearances and game-high seven insides 50s. Last week against Richmond it was a career-high 26 disposals. In just his 26th game and only aged 20, the Suns have a player who could be a future captain.
8. Tim Kelly
Geelong coach Chris Scott has dropped hints Kelly will be at Geelong for the long haul and on Saturday, chief executive Brian Cook said the club wouldn’t be entertaining trade talks. Why would they. He has another year under his contract and the Cats will back themselves in to get his signature on a new deal. He’s evolving to be as important to the Cats midfield as Gazza and Mitch Duncan, in that he runs, carries and delivers. He destroyed Fremantle on Saturday with 26 disposals and three goals, which was also a reminder that he was playing under their noses in the WAFL and the overlooked him.
9. Chris Mayne
Collectively, there’s plenty to like about the Magpies. They move the ball quickly, run deep between the arcs, have an abundance of goalscorers (13 on Saturday) and have a dominant ruckman. And they are in the top four despite the worst injury list in the competition. Individually, Mayne might be the most improved player, not only at Collingwood, but across all teams. He played three games in 2017 and has played 16 this year, mainly as a defensively-minded midfielder. He’s rated average for disposals, contested possessions and score involvements and above average for pressure, which is exactly what coach Nathan Buckley wants.
10. The moment
Twenty-two seconds to play and with the game over, Richmond’s Dan Rioli chased down Adam Saad and won the free kick. Rioli didn’t know how much time was remaining, but it was symbolic of Richmond’s pressure and attitude. It might be Richmond fans’ favourite moment of the season.
WHAT I DISLIKE ...
1. Port Adelaide
With a finals spot to be decided, Port Adelaide caved in against Collingwood on Saturday. “We felt the pinch,’’ coach Ken Hinkley said. “We looked like a team not ready to keep going.’’ Injuries have hurt, but they have also hurt plenty of rival teams. In ninth spot and almost certain to miss finals, Port has lost five of its past six matches and don’t deserve to play finals. Its problem has been scoring, Port hasn’t kicked more than 100 points in a game since Round 13. Its past six games have seen returns of 64, 58, 93, 78, 58 and 50 points. After recruiting Jack Watts, Steven Motlop and Tom Rockliff to an already talented list, unquestionably it has been a failed season. Of those three recruits, Rockliff has been the most disappointing.
2. Fremantle
The fans are restless. They want to know why there isn’t more pressure being put on coach Ross Lyon. What sort of pressure are they talking about? Do they want the media to demand Lyon be sacked? It’s highly unlikely he will be sacked, despite the record-breaking day at Geelong on Saturday. Yes, it was extremely disappointing. The players gave up, they played without spirit or morale and the coach couldn’t stem the tide from the coaching box. All fans want is effort, the Dockers didn’t deliver and the coach has to take responsibility for that. But a sacking? Don’t think so. They have won eight games this year in a rebuilding year — three more than Brisbane, four more than St Kilda and six more than Carlton.
3. West Coast
Suddenly they are vulnerable to hosting a home final and who knows what sort of line-up the Eagles will have when they meet Brisbane at the Gabba this week. A win and they keep second spot. A loss and either Collingwood or Hawthorn can finish second and those teams will host a home final. It’s massive stakes this weekend. The Eagles were mighty in defeat yesterday, in one of the games of the season, and needed to scrounge to potential victory without Josh Kennedy (foot) and Jack Darling (concussion).
4. Dayne Zorko
The Lions skipper refused to shake Touk Miller’s hand after the Round 5 clash at Metricon (watch the video above) and on Saturday night was hardly humble in victory when he first abused Miller and then thrust his hand demonstratively at Miller after the siren. Miller — who accepted Zorko’s hand — said before the game he had a mental edge over Zorko and clearly he has. Zorko was solid with 17 touches and nine tackles and Miller had 15 disposals in a contest Lions coach Chris Fagan labelled as even. The final-siren antics and the aggression throughout the match was largely theatre, although Zorko would probably like his time again.
5. Where did they all go?
The Giants led by 15 points at halftime, 12 points at three-quarter time and were outscored 6.5 to 1.3 in the final quarter. We can find excuses or talk reality. When the game needed leaders, when the game had to be won or lost, the Giants midfield collapsed. In the fourth quarter, Stephen Coniglio who had George Hewitt as an opponent, had two disposals, Dylan Shiel four disposals, Lachie Whitfield three disposals, Callan Ward four disposals and Jacob Hopper three disposals. The Giants were under siege in the back half, but that can be blamed in part because of the lack of ball-winners in the midfield.
6. Devon Smith
Pleas for players to lead the punch debate — BY NOT PUNCHING OPPONENTS — was well intentioned but never going to happen. Clearly, players will do whatever they choose to do in the heat of the contest. Essendon’s Devon Smith was fined $1500 for launching his left fist at his head of Richmond’s Kamdyn McIntosh. It was one of the more violent acts we’ve seen on a football field this season, but because no contact was made, Smith wasn’t suspended. Both players were lucky the punch missed.
7. It’s always the retaliator
Carlton’s Jed Lamb can’t take a trick. Marcus Bontempelli belted Lamb in the stomach yesterday at Etihad Stadium, Lamb retaliated with an elbow to Bontempelli’s back, which sent Bont to the ground. A 50m penalty was paid to Lin Jong who had the ball and an easy goal was kicked. The footy world wants to clamp down on punches and hits off the ball and the AFL will address the issue at the end of the season. Does Bont get suspended for the punch and Lamb for the elbow under any new rules? Who knows what will happen, but the days of the retaliator being the only one caught for his act — as noted by Eddie McGuire yesterday — are surely coming to an end.
8. Then there’s stupidity
Steven Motlop received a 50m penalty for punching Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard in the chest, which happened right in front of the umpire. It resulted in a goal and the Pies kicked the next seven after that. The players can complain all they like, and Motlop was furious, but the umpires are right in blowing the whistle. The problem is inconsistency. When Motlop ran back to the midfield after Maynard’s goal, he was barrelled over by Taylor Adams — right in front of the umpire. Why wasn’t that a free kick?
9. Banged up Giants
Will say it again, if the Giants win this year’s flag, coach Leon Cameron will be a genius. He has been under siege all season because of injuries to key players and it’s not abating. They will play finals, but will be without Ryan Griffen (hamstring) and who knows how Phil Davis’ back will come up. That’s on top of Josh Kelly, Tom Scully, Toby Greene, Brett Deledio Jon Patton, Matt De Boer, Heath Shaw, Dawson Simpson, Sam Taylor and Aidan Corr. It is a season cruelled by unavailability.
ROBBO’S FAVOURITE TWEETS FROM YOU:
@PkmtBrad: St Kilda Showing some ticker is a like and a dislike. Like because it happened. Dislike because it took to Round 22 to see it!
@Marty_Clucas: Dees, been a long road... Gawn huge, Oliver will be one of the greats. Harmes and Hannan hugely underrated.
@ISTURTYI: WORPEL
@chookie94: Like: Jack Steele. Not only can he shut down the games best mids but he is becoming a gun in his own right. Dislike: Umps who are afraid to pay free kicks or 50m penalties in close games.
@paigecardona: Like: Collingwood, Eddie McGuire and Nathan Buckley turning around the clubs fortunes after 5 years in the abyss and now eyeing off a top 4 spot. Dislike that I didn’t even tip us to make the 8! #Faith
@srahul_35: Dislike: the count down clock. Remember how much better footy was with the 5 minute warning?
@mickeyemmerson: Like seeing Nathan Jones taking his team to a finals series after all those tough years. Worpel, he will be a star!
@drewie_5: Likes - Melbourne - all the pressure on them and making finals, great result. Dislikes - the clown that threw a bottle at Daisy Thomas - kick the idiots out if they are gonna do stupid stuff like that!
@johlyp: Dislike the fact carlton cannot score
@mattycosta: I like Aaron Francis. Was down and out 6 months ago and Friday night showed why he was pick number 6. The boy can play
@KeepnTabs73: Like - The Pies fight. Have injuries galore but just keep winning. Dislike - Ross Lyon’s Dockers. The most boring, horrible team of last 3 seasons besides Carlton.
@chevalierjimmy: Like: next week’s Syd-Haw winner getting top 4, and Hawks outside chance getting 2nd would be ridiculous!
@JaydedSash: Dislike: Talk of learning and improvement coming from Essendon. Seem too happy to pat themselves on the back despite extending its run of no finals wins to a staggering 14th year.
@PeterMead21: Likes. Ruckman. Grundy and Gawn. Both must be in All Sustralian team.
@davidbyhalf: Like: as an opposition supporter really like what the#15 at @Richmond_FC #Jayden Short delivers each week. Is he underrated by fans? Dislike: #shouldofcouldofwouldof made finals if.......
@rozzy2412: Like: Aaron Francis and the dees. Dislike: priority picks, rewarded for poor management and mediocrity... please
@quackerz77: Like: James Harmes. Taken in the 2014 Rookie Draft, now a very important cog in Melbourne’s midfield. 28 disposals today, one of the most improved in the comp.
@leigheustace: Like: Pies winning their 14th game of the year whilst blooding their seventh debutant for the season, remarkable effort by the entire list
@razorsharp1983: Like No third man up in ruck contest. How good is it watching Gawn and Grundy make the small men look good. Dislike Zorko, ordinary response on the siren.
@Andy_L12: Like Geary/Steele doing big jobs on Hawks best to give us a winning chance. Dislike Zorko post both Q-clashes.
@MrAwesomeOness: Like: Dees. All of them! Especially Harmes who’s last 6 weeks have been huge. Dislike: can’t remember how to buy finals tickets!
@kanecornes: I like @jackgunston
@AnneHar95645887: Like Hawks/Swans next week. Dislike: Freo. Putrid
@stevenpaul23: Doedee not getting nowhere near enough love for Rising Star. Too much Victorian bias going on!
@Choskins23: I like Willie Rioli
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
The players that made Robbo want to do a top 57
The hardest spot to pick in the top 50 isn’t No.1. It’s actually No.50. Robbo names the players he wanted to fit into his annual list – but couldn’t.
‘Heavy workload’: Major move at Collingwood
The biggest club in the AFL needs a new president as one of the key men in their 2023 premiership made a move to their long-time rivals.